Optical disk, and recording/reproducing apparatus and recording method for optical disk

ABSTRACT

A DVD-R  1  has a main information area  2  where data information is recorded in a track having a wobble, and first and second control data areas  3,15  each of which is disposed in an inner space closer to the disk center than the main information area  2.  The information structure and physical structure of the first control area  3  are different from those of the second control area  15.  In the second control area  15,  predetermined physical format information and disk production information, for example, the last address of when data is written in the DVD-R  1 , the maximum transfer rate or the like, are recorded. Thus, when the DVD-R  1  is reproduced by a DVD player etc., the physical format information and disk production information etc. recorded in the second control data area  15  are read. Thereby, the disk can be precisely identified without spoiling the physical format information, the disk production information or the like, and further illegal use of the DVD or another optical disk leading up to breach of the copyright can be effectively prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/743,795,filed on Mar. 22, 2001, which was the National Phase of InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP00/03228, filed May 19, 2000, the contents ofwhich are expressly incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties. The International Application was not published under PCTArticle 21(2) in English.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical disk, and arecording/reproducing apparatus and a recording method, for the opticaldisk, in particular, relates to a circular optical disk in which recordsignals such as images or voices are ciphered and recorded in order toprotect literary properties from illegal copies thereof, and to anapparatus for and a method of reproducing and/or recording the recordsignals from/to the optical disk.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In general, in a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) on the market, inwhich a movie, music or the like is collected (recorded), datainformation such as an image, voice or the like is ciphered and recordedin order to protect literary properties from illegal copies thereof,namely in order to protect the copyright thereof. Thus, when the DVD isreproduced using a DVD reproducing apparatus, the DVD reproducingapparatus reproduces it by reading key information recorded in a controldata area of the DVD, and deciphering the ciphered data informationusing the key information to reconstruct the original image, voice orthe like.

[0004] Hereinafter, a conventional DVD and a DVD reproducing apparatusof the above-mentioned type will be concretely described. Hereupon, aDVR-R (i.e. write-once DVD), which is an example of the DVD, will bedescribed.

[0005]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rough construction of aconventional DVD-R. In FIG. 4, 101 denotes a DVD-R. 102 denotes a maininformation area of the DVD-R 101. Data information such as an image,voice or the like is generally ciphered and recorded in the maininformation area 102. 103 denotes a control data area. The control dataarea 103 records disk production information and physical formatinformation including key information for deciphering the datainformation recorded in the main information area 102. Hereupon, thecontrol data area 103 is located at a position of the inner peripheryside in the DVD-R 101. In the DVD-R 101, a spiral groove with a wobbleis formed from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side overthe both areas 102,103. Thus, the data information is recorded in therecording layer of the groove. Hereupon, the address information, thedisk recording condition or the like has been previously recorded on thesubstrate in the form of an inter-groove pre-pit.

[0006]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing rough construction or aconventional DVD reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 5, 101 denotes the DVD101. The DVD 101 records the data information such as an image or voiceto be reproduced. 104 denotes an optical pickup. The optical pickup 104reads record signals of the DVD 101 using laser rays. 105 denotes atransfer controller. The transfer controller 105 moves the opticalpickup 104 in the radial direction of the DVD 101 in order to read therecord signals at arbitrary positions on the DVD 101. 106 denotes a diskmotor. The disk motor 106 rotates the DVD 101.

[0007]107 denotes a first control circuit. The first control circuit 107controls the optical pickup 104, the transfer controller 105 and thedisk motor 106. 108 denotes an amplifier. The amplifier too amplifiesthe signals, which have been read by the optical pickup 104. 109 denotesa second control circuit. The output signals of the amplifier 108 areinputted into the second control circuit 109. Based on the signals, thesecond control circuit 109 generates servo signals such as focus errorsignals, tracking error signals or the like, which are required when theoptical pickup 104 reads the record signals of the DVD 101, and thenoutputs them to the first control circuit 107. Meanwhile, the secondcontrol circuit 109 digitizes (makes binary) the input signals of analogtype.

[0008]110 denotes a demodulation circuit. The demodulation circuit 110analyzes the signals, which have been read from the DVD 101 to bedigitized, while it reconstructs the data information such as theoriginal image or music. 111 denotes a system control circuit. Thesystem control circuit 111 wholly controls the DVD reproducingapparatus.

[0009] Hereinafter, actions of the DVD reproducing apparatus having theabove-mentioned construction will be described. When the DVD 101 on themarket is reproduced, at first, the first control circuit 107 drives andcontrols the transfer controller 105 in accordance with the instructionof the system control circuit 111. As the result, the transfercontroller 105 moves the optical pickup 104 to a position of an innerperiphery side in the DVD 101. The signals, which have been read by theoptical pickup 104, are amplified by the amplifier 108, and thendigitized by the second control circuit 109. The demodulation circuit110 reads the contents of the digital signals, and then sends theresults to the system control circuit 111. If the read contents do notinclude the key information in the control data area 103 (see FIG. 4),the system control circuit 111 outputs another instruction to the firstcontrol circuit 107 again, and then causes the first control circuit 107to drive and control the transfer controller 105. As the result, thetransfer controller 105 moves the optical pickup 104 to a further innerposition of the inner periphery side in the DVD 101, and then searchesthe key information of the DVD 101.

[0010] The key information, which has been recorded in the control dataarea 103 located at a position of the inner periphery side in the DVD101, is found out by repeating the above-mentioned actions. Then thedemodulation circuit 110 reads the key information. If the systemcontrol circuit 111 detects that the demodulation circuit 110 has readthe key information of the DVD 101, the first control circuit 107 drivesand controls the transfer controller 105 in accordance with theinstruction of the system control circuit 111. As the result, thetransfer controller 105 moves the optical pickup 104 to a position ofthe outer periphery side in the DVD 101. Then the optical pickup 104reads the data information recorded in the main information area 102 ofthe DVD 101 (see FIG. 4). Because the data information is generallyciphered, normal image or voice signals cannot be obtained if the datainformation is simply reproduced. However, the data information can bedeciphered if the key information, which was recorded in the controldata region 103 and has been previously read, is used. Thus, thedemodulation circuit 110 deciphers the data information in the maininformation area 102 using the key information, which has been read, soas to reconstruct the original and normal image data or voice data.

[0011] However, in the writable optical disk such as a DVD-R or thelike, there may be such a problem that a copy of the optical disk may beeasily produced by copying the information in the control data area aswell as the data information into the DVD-R, even if the datainformation is ciphered as described above. Thus, in order to physicallyprevent the information in the control data area from being copied asdescribed above, there has been proposed such a procedure as topreviously record other signals at least into the region, in which thekey information of the DVD-R is to be recorded, so as to prevent the keyinformation from being copied into the region. That is such a procedureas to prevent the normal key information from being reproduced by thereproducing apparatus by previously forming pre-pits with otherinformation, for example by forming embossment in the control data areaincluding the region in which the key information or the DVD-R is to berecorded, so as to destroy the normal key information.

[0012] However, in the conventional optical disk and the reproducing orrecording system thereof as described above, it is impossible to recordthe physical format information and disk production information such aslast address information etc. of the writing region, into which datamust be written later, into the control data area 103, when the data isrecorded into the main information area 102. Thus, if the DVD-R 1(optical disk), in which the above-mentioned physical format informationand disk production information are not recorded into the control dataarea 103, is reproduced by the DVD-ROM reproducing apparatus, there mayoccur such a problem that various useful functions, for example thefunction for detecting the disk volume in a short time to indicate it,are spoiled. Further, there may occur also such a problem that theresponsibility associated with the recorded positioning information isdeteriorated. In addition, if embossment having stronger restraint forthe illegal use is previously formed in the region including the keyinformation of the control data area 103 as the recording pit, it may beextremely difficult to form a wobble in the region. In consequence, ifthe DVD is reproduced using the DVD reproducing apparatus, there occurssuch a problem that it may be accidentally judged that the DVD is aDVD-ROM though it is practically a DVD-R, because no wobble exists inthe region.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0013] The present invention is achieved to solve the conventionalproblems described above. Thus, it has an object to provide an opticaldisk and an apparatus for and method of recording or reproducing theoptical disk, which can precisely identify the type of the optical diskand can effectively prevent the illegal use of the optical disk such asa DVD or the like, which infringes the copyright, without spoiling thefunctions for recording or reproducing the physical format information,the disk production information (disk control information) and so on.

[0014] An optical disk according to the first aspect of the presentinvention which has been achieved to solve the above-mentioned problems,including (i) a main information area in which ciphered data informationcan be recorded in a recording layer of a groove having a wobble in sucha manner that the data information can be read using light, (ii) a firstcontrol data area located at an inner periphery side in comparison withthe main information area, and (iii) a second control data area locatedat an inner periphery side in comparison with the main information area,the second control data area being able to record information with aninformation structure which is different from an information structureof the first control data area, is characterized in that (iv) the firstcontrol data area is provided with a region which can record diskproduction information and physical format information including keyinformation for deciphering the data information, other informationhaving been previously recorded in another region, which can record atleast the key information, in the first control data area, and (v) thesecond control data area being able to record the disk productioninformation and the physical format information which does not includethe key information.

[0015] Further, another optical disk according to the second aspect ofthe present invention, including (i) a main information area in whichciphered data information can be recorded in a recording layer of agroove having a wobble in such a manner that the data information can beread using light, (ii) a first control data area located at an innerperiphery side in comparison with the main information area, and (iii) asecond control data area located at an inner periphery side incomparison with the main information area, the second control data areabeing able to record information with a physical structure which isdifferent from a physical structure of the first control data area, ischaracterized in that (iv) the second control data area can record diskproduction information and physical format information which does notinclude key information for deciphering the data information.

[0016] In the optical disk according to the second aspect of the presentinvention, it is preferable that the physical structure is composed of awobble, the first control data area being provided with no wobble, andthe second control data area being provided with the wobble.

[0017] In the optical disk according to the first or second aspect ofthe present invention, a pit, which has recorded information includingan address signal, may be provided at an inter-groove position in thesecond control data area.

[0018] Meanwhile, in the optical disk according to the first or secondaspect of the present invention, a recording pit in the first controldata area may be composed of embossment, while a recording pit in thesecond control data area may be formed by a laser light.

[0019] Hereupon, as an example of the optical disk according to thefirst or second aspect of the present invention, for example, awrite-once optical disk is pointed out.

[0020] A recording/reproducing apparatus for an optical disk accordingto the third aspect o the present invention, including (i) a maininformation area in which ciphered data information can be recorded in arecording layer of a groove having a wobble, (ii) a first control dataarea which can record disk production information and physical formatinformation including key information for deciphering the datainformation, and (iii) a second control data area, (iv) the apparatusbeing able to record and/or reproduce the data information, ischaracterized in that (v) the recording/reproducing apparatus can recordor reproduce the disk production information and the physical formatinformation without the key information into the second control dataarea, with a structure which is different from a structure of the firstcontrol data area, when the optical disk is recorded or reproduced,respectively.

[0021] Another recording/reproducing apparatus for an optical diskaccording to the fourth aspect of the present invention, including (i) amain information area in which ciphered data information can be recordedin a recording layer of a groove having a wobble, (ii) a first controldata area which can record disk production information and physicalformat information including key information or deciphering the datainformation, and (iii) a second control data area, in which (iv) astructure of the first control data area and a structure of the secondcontrol data area are different from each other, the apparatus beingable to record and/or reproduce the data information, is characterizedin that (v) the recording/reproducing apparatus can record or read thedisk production information and the physical format information withoutthe key information using the second control data area, when the opticaldisk is recorded or reproduced, respectively.

[0022] In the recording/reproducing apparatus for the optical diskaccording to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, theoptical disk may be an optical disk in which information has beenpreviously recorded at least in a portion of the first control dataarea.

[0023] Hereupon, as an example of the optical disk which is used in therecording/reproducing apparatus for the optical disk according to thethird or fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, awrite-once optical disk is pointed out.

[0024] A recording method for an optical disk according to the fifthaspect of the present invention, including (i) a main information areain which ciphered data information can be recorded in a recording layerof a groove having a wobble, (ii) a first control data area which canrecord disk production information and physical format informationincluding key information for deciphering the data information, and(iii) a second control data area, the method being for recording thedata information, is characterized in that the method includes the stepsof (iv) detecting whether a loaded optical disk is writable or not, and(v) writing the disk production information and the physical formatinformation without the key information into the second control dataarea, if the optical disk is writable.

[0025] In the recording method or the optical disk, it may be detectedwhether the loaded optical disk is writable or not, on the basis ofwhether a wobble exists or not.

[0026] In the optical disk, the recording/reproducing apparatus forrecording and/or reproducing the optical disk or the recording methodfor the optical disk, according to the present invention, the disk canbe precisely identified without spoiling the physical formatinformation, the disk production information (disk control information)or the like. In addition, illegal use of a DVD or another optical diskleading up to breach of the copyright may be effectively prevented.Further, it may become possible to previously form a recording pitcomposed of embossment, which has stronger restraint for preventing theillegal use and can be formed with a lower cost. In consequence, theoptical disk may be manufactured with a lower cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rough construction of aDVD-R according to the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view showing the both of twocontrol data areas of the DVD-R shown in FIG. 1.

[0029]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a rough construction of a DVDrecording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rough construction of aconventional DVD-R.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a rough construction of aconventional DVD reproducing apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0032] An optical disk according to the present invention is providedwith a main information area in which data information (main data) isrecorded in a track having a wobble, and a first and a second controldata areas each of which is located at an inner periphery position incomparison with the main information area. Hereupon, the informationstructures or physical structures of the first and second control dataareas are different from each other. Thus, the first control data areahas a region which can record disk production information (disk controlinformation), physical format information including key information fordeciphering the data information, and so on. In addition, the opticaldisk has such a function as to protect the copyright of the datainformation, by previously recording other information at least into theregion within the first control data area, into which the keyinformation is to be recorded. The recording action can be performed byforming embossment there, or writing it using a laser light. Further,the optical disk is additionally provided with a second control area forrecording the disk production information, he physical formatinformation without the key information, and so on. In consequence, thepredetermined physical format information, the disk productioninformation and so on, for example the maximum transfer rate or the lastaddress into which data is to be recorded, can be recorded in the secondcontrol data area. Thus, when the optical disk is reproduced using a DVDreproducing apparatus or the like, the DVD reproducing apparatus or thelike can be operated with a good responsibility by reading the physicalformat information and the disk production information in the secondcontrol data area.

[0033] Meanwhile, the ability for protecting the copyright may befurther raised, if the disk production information and the physicalformat information without the key information etc. are recorded in thesecond control data area, and then the optical pickup is operated on thebasis of the information which is read from the second control data areawhen the optical disk is reproduced. Hereupon, if the informationstructure of the second control data area is made be different from theinformation structure of the first control data area, it may becomepossible to easily identify the both of the two control data areas in ashort time. Further, if the first control data area is composed ofembossment or the like while the second control data area has such astructure that pits are formed at inter-groove positions so that thephysical structures of the both areas are changed, the identification ofthe both control data areas may become easier. Thus, by reproducing orrecording the physical format information such as a disk identifyingcondition or disk recording condition and disk production informationetc. in the second control data area having the pits at the inter-groovepositions thereof, it may be prevented that an erroneous identificationor erroneous action occurs when the disk is identified.

[0034] A recording apparatus according to the present invention isprovided with a pickup for reading record signals from the optical diskin which the key information for recording the data into the opticaldisk or deciphering the data is recorded in an inner periphery sideposition, a first control means which can move the pickup to anarbitrary position in the radius direction of the optical disk so as toread the data at the arbitrary position of the optical disk, a secondcontrol means for performing the reproducing operation for the ciphereddata in the optical disk, a judging means for identifying the firstcontrol data area and the second control data area, and another controlmeans for ciphering and structuring the data to record it. In therecording apparatus, the disk production information and the physicalformat information including the last address during the recordingoperation etc. is recorded at least into the second control data area ofthe DVD-R, the recording structure being different from that of thefirst control data area. Hereupon, the judging means for identifying thefirst control data area and the second control data area may be composedof a wobble detecting means which can identify the both areas on thebasis of whether the wobble exists or not.

[0035] If the above-mentioned recording action is performed as aninitialization when a non-recorded optical disk is recorded for thefirst time, and further if the data structure of each of the physicalformat information and the disk production information etc., each ofwhich is recorded in the second control data area, is such one includingno key information, it may become possible to read the physical formatinformation and the disk production information etc. using the secondcontrol data area when the data is recorded or reproduced after that.Moreover, the function for protecting the copyright may be morestrengthened, if the apparatus is additionally provided with a wobbledetecting means for identifying whether the optical disk is writable, aprotecting condition judging means into which reproduced signals areinputted, a disk judging means into which signals are inputted from thewobble detecting means, and an output inhibiting means for inhibitingthe output of the reproducing or recording signals from the DVD if theresult of the judgement of the protecting condition does not match withthe result of the judgement of the disk.

[0036] A reproducing apparatus according to the present invention isprovided with a pickup for reading record signals from the optical diskin which the key information for deciphering the data is recorded in aninner periphery side position, a first control means which can move thepickup to an arbitrary position in the radius direction of the opticaldisk so as to read the data at the arbitrary position of the opticaldisk, a second control means for performing the reproducing operationfor the ciphered data in the optical disk, and a judging means foridentifying the first control data area and the second control dataarea. The reproducing apparatus reads the physical format informationand the disk production information in the second control data area inaccordance with the resultant judgement of the judging means. Moreover,the function for protecting the copyright may be strengthened, if theapparatus is additionally provided with a wobble detecting means foridentifying whether the optical disk is writable or not, a protectingcondition judging means into which reproduced signals are inputted, adisk judging means into which signals are inputted from the wobbledetecting means, and an output inhibiting means for inhibiting theoutput of the reproducing signals from the optical disk (DVD) if theresult of the judgement of the protecting condition does not match withthe result of the judgement of the disk.

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be moreconcretely described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 shows arough construction of a DVD-R according to the present invention. FIG. 2shows the first control data area composed of embossment or the like andthe second control data area of the DVD-R shown in FIG. 1, each of theboth areas being shown by an enlarged scale.

[0038] In FIG. 1, 1 denotes a DVD-R. 2 denotes a main information areainto which ciphered data information may be recorded. 3 denotes a firstcontrol data area for recording disk production information and physicalformat information including key information for deciphering the data.15 denotes a second control data area for recording disk productioninformation and physical format information, each of which has astructure which is different from that of the first control data area 3.

[0039] Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, 3 denotes the first control data area. 14denotes pits, each of which is composed of embossment in the firstcontrol data area 3. 15 denotes the second control data area. 16 denotesgrooves, while 17 denotes inter-groove pits for recording informationsuch as addresses or disk recording conditions etc., each of the pitsbeing formed between the grooves 16. Further, 18 denotes a wobble.

[0040]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a DVD recording/reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention. In FIG. 3, 1 denotes the DVD. In theDVD 1, the first control data area 3 (see FIG. 2) for recording thephysical format information and the disk production information (diskcontrol information) is composed of embossment. Hereupon, in the firstcontrol data area 3, other information has been previously recorded at aposition into which the key information for deciphering the data is tobe recorded, in order to protect literary properties from illegal copiesthereof, namely to protect their copyrights.

[0041]4 denotes an optical pickup. The optical pickup 4 reproduces andrecords record signals of the DVD 1 using laser rays. 5 denotes atransfer controller. The transfer controller 5 moves the optical pickup4 in the radial direction of the DVD 1 in order to record and reproducethe record signals at arbitrary positions on the DVD 1. 6 denotes a diskmotor. The disk motor 6 rotates the DVD 1. 7 denotes a first controlcircuit. The first control circuit 7 controls the optical pickup 4, thetransfer controller 5 and the disk motor 6. 8 denotes an amplifier. Theamplifier 8 amplifies the signals, which have been read by the opticalpickup 4. 9 denotes a second control circuit. The output signals of theamplifier 8 are inputted into the second control circuit 9. Based on thesignals, the second control circuit 9 generates servo signals such asfocus error signals, tracking error signals or the like, which arerequired when the optical pickup 4 reads the signals of the DVD 1, andthen outputs them to the first control circuit 7. Although the signals,which are inputted into the second control circuit 9, are analogsignals, the second control circuit 9 digitizes (makes binary) theanalog signals.

[0042]10 denotes a demodulation circuit. The demodulation circuit 10analyzes the signals, which have been read from the DVD 1 to bedigitized, while it reconstructs the data such as the original image ormusic etc. 11 denotes a detecting circuit. The detecting circuit 11detects an address signal or the like from the signals which areoutputted from the second control circuit 9, and then outputs it to asystem control circuit 12. The system control circuit 12 wholly controlsthe DVD recording/reproducing apparatus. 13 denotes a modulationcircuit. The modulation circuit 13 modulates the record signals (signalsor information to be recorded) and then outputs them to the amplifier 8during the recording operation. The record signals are recorded into thewritable DVD 1 using laser rays outputted from the optical pickup 4.

[0043] Hereinafter, actions of the DVD-R 1 and the recording/reproducingapparatus having he above-mentioned constructions will be described.

[0044] When the data is recorded into the DVD-R 1 provided with the maininformation area 2 and the first control data area 3, the first controlcircuit 7 drives and controls the transfer controller 5 in accordancewith the instruction of the system control circuit 12, at first. As theresult, the transfer controller 5 moves the optical pickup 4 into thefirst control data area 3 which is located at a position of the innerperiphery side in the DVD 1. The signals, which have been read by theoptical pickup 4, are amplified by the amplifier 8, and then digitizedby the second control circuit 9. Then the demodulation circuit 10 readsthe contents of the digitized signals as described above, and then sendsthe results to the system control circuit 12. The system control circuit12 identifies the disk on the basis of the physical format informationand the disk, production information (disk control information) each ofwhich has been read from the first control data area 3, deciphers therecording condition or the like, and then shifts to the recordingaction.

[0045] The modulation circuit 13 modulates the ciphered record signals(record data). After the modulated record signals have been amplified bythe amplifier 8, they are recorded into the main information area 2 ofthe DVD 1 using the laser rays outputted from the optical pickup 4.After the recording operation, the first control circuit 7 drives andcontrols the transfer controller 5 in accordance with the instruction ofthe system control circuit 12. As the result, the optical pickup 4 ismoved to a position, which corresponds to the second control data area15 located at further inner periphery side. Thus, the optical pickup 4records predetermined information in the record signals (record data),for example the last address after recording operation etc. On thatoccasion, the physical format information and the disk productioninformation of the first control data area 3 are recorded in addition tothe above-mentioned information. Hereupon, the structures of the bothareas 3,15 are made different from each other so as to be able to easilyidentify the first control data area 3 and the second control data area15.

[0046] Hereinafter, there will be described actions in the case that theDVD-R 1 is reproduced by the recording/reproducing apparatus. In thiscase, the first control circuit 7 drives and controls the transfercontroller 5 in accordance with the instruction of the system controlcircuit 12. As the result, the transfer controller 5 moves the opticalpickup 4 to a position corresponding to the second control data area 15(see FIG. 2). Then the optical pickup 4 reads the physical formatinformation and the disk production information, each of which isrecorded in the second control data area 15. On the basis of theinformation, the system control circuit 12 sends an instruction to thefirst control circuit 7. In accordance with the instruction of thesystem control circuit 12, the first control circuit 7 drives andcontrols the transfer controller 5. As the result, the transfercontroller 5 moves the optical pickup 4 to a desired position in themain information area 2, and then the optical pickup 4 reads the recordsignals (data information) of the DVD 1. Hereupon, when data isadditionally written in the DVD 1 also, each of the physical formatinformation and the disk production information is similarly read fromthe second control data area 15. Then the first control circuit 7 drivesand controls the transfer controller 5 in accordance with theinstruction of the system control circuit 12. As the result, the opticalpickup 4 is moved to a predetermined position, and then the data isadditionally written in the disk.

[0047] As for the first control data area 3 and the second control dataarea 15 in the DVD-R 1, the information structures of the recorded dataor the physical structures of the areas are different from each other.Hereupon, in the case that the information structures are made differentfrom each other, the information may be recorded in the second controldata area 15, with a structure including no key information, or theinformation may be recorded in such a manner that the arrangements ofthe physical format information and the disk production information aredifferent from the arrangements of the first control data area 3. Inconsequence, the function for protecting the copyright can bestrengthened, while it may become easily to identify the DVD-R 1 and theDVD-ROM (disk for only reproducing use).

[0048] On the other hand, in the case that the both control data areas3,15 are made different from each other, the disk may be easilyidentified, if any one of the first control data area 3 and the secondcontrol data area 15 is designed to have a structure with inter-groovepits 17 or a structure having no wobble 18. In particular, if the firstcontrol data area 3 is designed to have a physical structure similar tothat of the DVD-ROM (disk for only reproducing use) without theinter-groove pits 17 or wobble 18 while the second control data area 15is designed to have an original physical structure of the DVD-R, thefirst control data area 3 can be formed of embossment. In consequence,the function for protecting the copyright in the non-recorded conditionmay be strengthened, and further its affinity for the apparatus for onlyreproducing use can be improved. Hereupon, if the physical structuresare made different from each other, the line density, the width of thetrack, the physical depth of the pit or the like may be changed.

[0049] As described above, each of the optical disk, therecording/reproducing apparatus of the optical disk and the recordingmethod for the optical disk according to the present invention has ahigher ability for protecting the copyright. In addition, the opticaldisk or the recording/reproducing apparatus may be easily operated witha good responsibility.

[0050] Industrial Applicability

[0051] As described above, each of an optical disk, arecording/reproducing apparatus of the optical disk and a recordingmethod of the optical disk according to the present invention, is usefulas a means which can effectively prevent illegal copies of informationrecorded in the optical disk without spoiling the functions of theoptical disk or the recording/reproducing apparatus at all, andparticularly is suitable for using as a DVD or its recording/reproducingapparatus.

We claim:
 1. A recording method for a recordable optical disk having amain information area in which data information is recorded in arecording layer of a groove having a wobble in such a manner that thedata information is read using a light, a control data area locatedproximate an inner periphery side in comparison with said maininformation area, and a sub information area, in which other informationhas been previously recorded in an address area in said control dataarea corresponding to an area including deciphering key information usedonly for reproducing, while physical format information is stored insaid sub information area with an information structure different fromthat of said control data area, said method comprising: detectingwhether a loaded optical disk is a writable optical disk; and writingthe physical format information to said sub information area when saidloaded optical disk is detected to be a writable optical disk.
 2. Therecording method of claim 1, said address area in said control data areacorresponds to an area including deciphering key information in arecording medium used only for reproducing.
 3. The recording method ofclaim 1, wherein detecting comprises detecting whether the loadedoptical disk is a writable optical disk in accordance with an existenceof a wobble.